Water companies warn taps could run DRY in heatwave as hundreds cut off by a burst pipe queue at bottle station
BAKING Brits have been warned that taps could run dry in the heatwave as water companies urge people to remain vigilant.
Hundreds have already faced queues at bottle stations in the scorching heat as suppliers have struggled to cope with demand.
With temperatures set to hit highs of 41C (105.8F) on Monday, water companies have since warned of further disruption.
On Sunday, residents in Norfolk were left without supplies for more than 30 hours following reports of a burst pipe.
Images showed colossal queues as desperate residents tried to get their hands on water.
It mirrored scenes seen on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent earlier this week as families blasted the shortages as “pandemonium.”
Read more on weather
Anglian Water, which operates in the east of England, said sudden high demand due to “extreme hot weather” was likely a contributing factor in causing interruptions to water supply.
It came as similar weather-related supply issues were also seen in Bristol, with Bristol Water Foundation warning this week’s heatwave might affect the pressure and taste of its water.
“With the weather getting warmer, you may experience a drop in water pressure, especially during peak times,” it told customers.
“As temperatures rise, water use tends to increase as we all try to cool down with showers, hoses and paddling pools, which increases the demand on our network.”
Most read in News
It said water supplies might be temporarily redirected so customers’ water comes from different treatment works or reservoirs than usual.
“This may mean you notice your water tastes a little bit different to normal. Don’t worry, though, this will return to normal as temperatures start to cool down again,” it said.
Amid supply shortages in London, Essex and Surrey Affinity Water urged customers to avoid non-essential water usage.
They said it predicts an extra 164 million litres of water will be needed on Monday compared to normal demand.
“Because of the hot weather, many of us are using much more water,” the provider said.
“This means you may notice lower pressure or no water when demand is higher in your area.”
The warnings comes just a week after water bosses urged people to ration how much they use in light of the hot weather.
They encouraged customers to cut down by not washing cars or sprinkling lawns.
Experts warned that if reservoirs fall too low it could lead to a hosepipe ban and the introduction of draconian drought conditions not seen since 1976.
Anglian asked its four million customers to limit showers to five minutes, avoid washing cars and to “learn to love a brown lawn”.
Yorkshire Water called for four-minute showers — and even created a tailor-made playlist of songs.
And Severn Trent urged customers to turn off the tap while they brush their teeth — and urged gardeners to use a watering can instead of a hose.
Read More on The Sun
It comes as millions of workers are expected to stay at home over the next 48 hours as the heatwave hits its peak.
Sunseekers flocked to packed beaches yesterday — as a minister advised people to work from home today and tomorrow if they could.